Rattan Rams Strike Out in Semifinals

May 12, 2011

The Rattan Rams also headed to the State Tournament for Class A Baseball in Oklahoma City on Thursday, May 5, 2011. Previous to State they had won their Regional Tournament on their home field by beating out three other teams.

At the State Tournament the Rams defeated Caddo in the quarter finals on Thursday with a score of 12 to 4. Fans of both teams realized that Parker Taylor was as good as advertised, which meant Caddo stood very little chance. Taylor, Rattanâ€™s senior ace, struck out eight total, including the side in the first inning , and didnâ€™t allow an earned run in four innings as the Rams cruised to the semifinals. Behind his pitching performance, Rattan was able to jump out to an 8-1 lead after only three innings. That included a five-run third inning that featured a three-run homer by designated hitter Colby Chandler, who finished 2-for-3 with four RBI. Â Parker was 2-for-3 at the plate with an RBI as Rattan finished with nine hits. The Rams also benefited from six Caddo errors.

On Friday, the Rams went up against Okarche in the semifinals. As it turned out, two pitchers were finally better than one. Despite an admirable effort by Rattanâ€™s Parker Taylor, both at the plate and on the mound, Okarche played itself into its third consecutive Class A baseball championship game with an 11-8 win in 11 innings at Dolese Park in OKC.

Okarche led 8-2 entering the bottom of the sixth inning before Rattan finally kicked it into gear. Three Okarche errors and four Rattan hits, including a three-run triple by Taylor, allowed the Rams to tie it all up. The triple was Parkerâ€™s second of the game, but it was also about the time he began to heat up on the mound.

Okarche scored a run in the first, five in the third and two more in the fourth to earn its lead. However, Taylor, who dropped to 14-2 with the loss, began to settle down and didnâ€™t give up a run or a hit over the next five innings.

The Warriors finally got to him again in the top of the 11th when they started off with a walk and eventually scored the go-ahead run.

Taylor struck out 12 in the losing effort. He finished 3-for-6 with four RBI at the plate. No other Ram had multiple hits.

Okarche ended up winning with a final score of 11 over Rattanâ€™s 8 in the 11th inning. It was a very tightly played game by both teams. Congratulations Rams for all your hard work! You did great!